by Iyobosa Omoregie
The Edo state Chairman of the Christians Association of Nigeria, Bishop Peter Imasuen, has distanced himself from the N7billion bribe allegedly paid CAN at the national level by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Imasuen, a Bishop of Benin Diocese of the Anglican Communion, denied his involvement on Monday, March 2, in Benin, while reacting to the allegation by a Borno-based pastor, Kallam Musa-Dikwa that N3million was shared among chairmen of the state chapters of CAN.
The Bishop stated that he was not present at the last meeting of the body, and as such, could not have partook in the supposed sharing of money among the members.
He said, “I am not a politician; what we owe the country is prayer. So, I don’t know anything about (the) money. They didn’t give me any money and I was not even there when we had the last CAN meeting; at that time, we were having the standing committee at Ughelli (Delta State). So, how would they have given me money when I was not at the meeting?”
When queried on whether he would have benefited from the alleged bribe, had he been present at the meeting, Imasuen retorted saying: “Collected the money for what? What will I use the money for? We are men of God; we are to pray for the peace of the country. At the time you now take money, how will God answer your prayer? I don’t run after riches. I run after blessing; riches come and go but blessings remain.”
He added: “Even if you give me money, I would be afraid; I will not sleep because the politicians will be after you, everybody will be after you, the thieves will know that you have money. So, I will rather relax my mind and be okay with whatever God gives me. There are many people who are self-made pastors or bishops; they can say anything. If you do something I don’t like, for instance, I can go back and do certain things to destabilise you.”
“I don’t belong to any party; once I know that you are a credible person, I can vote (for) you; vote for those that can stand and defend this country. We are praying God to give us a leader who will lead us and lead the youths.”
The persons collecting money from the president,VP and PDP agents should ask themselves: will that amount of money fuel their generators ( if they have any) for the next 4years, pay for security of their lives and property for the next four years; provide employment for their unemployed children, kith & kin? Will the money at the same time Provide feeding and health care services for the next four years? if the answer is no, then U are being duped!! Because, GEJ is not coming back to dole out another bag of money after election, neither is he likely to provide any of the above for them even if he wins reelections.